Born in Paris, designer Phoebe Philo was destined to one day take off for England. Educated at Central Saint Martins in London, she would go back home in 1996 when she became the primary styling assistant at Chloé, during the Stella McCartney era. Phoebe Philo would reveal her true talent there. With desirability, she made it possible to transpose highly sophisticated fashion into the streets. The Chloé woman is one who mixes melancholy with softness, who, through her actions, expresses romanticism. It was only natural then that in 2001, she was designated to replace Stella McCartney as creative director for the brand. Her vision resembles none other. Made of sensual femininity, free, and serene, she melts into a secret and audacious universe.
In 2002, she created the label’s leather goods line. The success quickly picked up when, one year later, she transposed this universe into the brand’s first bag, the Paddington, named after the legendary London district. They say that this piece was the origin of the it-bag phenomenon. In any case, the craze it provoked in the handbag market was unprecedented. Completely sold out before it even came out, some women dumped all their savings into getting their hands on one.
It was already a classic by 2005. Distinctive, vintage even though it was new, quasi-virile, its elusive delicateness undoubtedly resides in the metal leather padlock that comes with its own key. The softness of studded leather, its muted colors coming together with the bag’s curvatures that, upon first glance, appear strangely symmetrical. This is what tickles women’s fancy: its oversized proportions and luggage-esque aspects made for exploring the city sidewalks have already won over Sienna Miller, Nicole Richie, Mischa Barton, and Diane Kruger. Carrying it by the handle allows it to accompany you day and night. An essential, the Paddington is the heir to femininity as Gaby Aghion conceived it in the 50s. The label’s founder, also famous for inventing the term “ready-to-wear”, defined herself as “a somber beauty and a Bohemian spirit.” Natalie Portman, Lou Doillon, Kirsten Dunst, and Sofia Coppola would also become customers, charmed by the aura of this exceptional bag that is amongst the most sold pieces in the world. Today, it still hasn’t ceased to be a “must have”.
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